Japanese Politician Campaigns With A Cat

It’s not that cats are important in Japanese politics. Cats are important. Full stop.

[Images via Satoshi Shima]

This is Satoshi Shima. He previously worked at mobile carrier Softbank, and before that, he was a member of the Japanese parliament. He’s now running to represent the Mikawa region in Aichi Prefecture in the upcoming election.

During Japanese elections, candidates plaster their posters all over the areas they’re campaigning. Typically, the posters are rather dull, featuring a headshot of the candidate and their name. They usually have a slogan.

山形県選挙区 #選挙ポスター pic.twitter.com/ixWZHKDxOa

— るかるる守護霊の霊言 (@rukaruru) June 26, 2016

秋田県選挙区 #選挙ポスター pic.twitter.com/2qjzSTyD7X

— るかるる守護霊の霊言 (@rukaruru) June 26, 2016

See? Boring!

In a highly unusual move, Shima put a white cat in some of his posters.

「白い猫のポスター」ボランティアの皆さんのおかげで多数貼られました！ありがとうございました。このポスターを見ると、今日、1日、幸福です！ pic.twitter.com/JFdquUaiys

— 島さとし（嶋聡） (@satoshi_shima) June 27, 2016

The tagline reads that someone has “returned home”, but it’s unclear if that refers to Shima or the feline!

選挙ポスターで誤植か！？

候補者と猫が入れ替わってる！たくさん貼ってある中で一枚だけ。島さとしさんの猫だから「シマニャン」か？www

見つけたらラッキーかも♪（ｖ＾＿＾）ｖ pic.twitter.com/icvjKHwG3D

— もりっちぃ (@moritty2) June 23, 2016

As you can see, the cat poster is actually being used.

On Twitter, people seem amused and baffled by the posters. But, what gives? Obviously, this is a political stunt — a humorous and clever one at that — but according to Shima, “If you find one of my white cat posters, you’ll be happy.” So, they’re kinda like four-leaf clovers, but with cats and middle-aged politicians?

The poster with the giant white cat is even rarer, apparently, so find that, and you’ll be truly happy.

Tell me, are you not incredibly happy right now?

While Shima doesn’t appear to be hitting the campaign trail with an actual cat, his campaign van does have a cat on it.

38度。熱中症予報、厳重注意より上の「危険」。その中での街宣活動。「日本はすばらしい国です。国家経営を誤らなければ、必ず、日本はもっとよくなることができます」 pic.twitter.com/iZUmMaTahY

— 島さとし（嶋聡） (@satoshi_shima) July 4, 2016

愛知、刈谷で8時まで街宣。東海道線に飛び乗り、「のぞみ」で東京へ。明日は、山梨県甲府。比例全国区。新幹線の中で聞くのはZardの「負けないで」 pic.twitter.com/6mfB2FE6jX

— 島さとし（嶋聡） (@satoshi_shima) June 30, 2016

Take note politicians! Instead of attack ads, there’s another weapon in your political tool kit. A softer, fluffier one.